Art Berke, a lifelong White Sox fan, has worked at the highest levels of the sports industry with Major League Baseball, ABC Television and Sports Illustrated. He grew up in Northwest Indiana, in the shadow of old Comiskey Park, and proudly proclaims 2005 as the best year of his life. Art offers his glass half-full opinions and observations as he lives and dies with the Sox.

Breaking News: Joe Crede Signs with Rockies

We’ll never know what kind of career Joe Crede would have had if the talented third baseman hadn’t been saddled with back problems.

He played parts of nine seasons on the South Side, showed good power–especially in the clutch–and his defense at third was on par with anyone in baseball. To White Sox fans, who witnessed his career, especially his contributions as a key member of the 2005 World Champions and his career year in 2006, he will always hold a special place despite the fact he never reached full-fledged star status. And no one will ever forget his late season game-winning home run against the Indians when the Sox were on the abyss in ’05 and his perhaps series-saving, game-winning double to win Game 2 of the American League Championship Series against the Angels after A.J.’s miracle dash to first base.

After an injury-plagued 2009 and a season without baseball in 2010, Crede is primed for a comeback with the Rockies. I know Sox fans are with me when I say that we hope he makes it back with flying colors–even though it won’t be in the Pale Hose’s black and silver.

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